![]() Both artists helped dramatically redefine the look of Batman in the '70s and '80s. All of this brings to mind iconic Bronze Age Batman artists like Neal Adams and Jim Aparo. And while we can't see much of the ears here, it does look as though the ears might be more curved than with previous movie Batsuits. For one thing, it looks to be more armored helmet than actual mask, one that gives Batman a very pronounced forehead shape and exists as a separate piece from the neck. '70s BatmanThe dark lighting in the video makes it difficult to pick out too many details in terms of Batman's cowl, but it does appear the new movie will be diverging a bit from the usual approach. Is this a telltale clue Reeves is drawing inspiration from Year One (a comic that was once set to be adapted to film by Darren Aronofsky)? Again, given the emphasis on a younger Bruce Wayne, it would make sense. Play Batman: Year One While nothing about this costume immediately brings to mind David Mazzucchelli's iconic rendition in Batman: Year One, we can't look at the haunting red and black lighting in the video and not be reminded of the cover to the graphic novel. The raised collar and the visible stitching on the nose suggest a certain homemade quality to this costume. Plus, Gotham by Gaslight is a story set in Victorian-era Gotham, and it features a much cruder and more patchwork costume to suit the times. The raised collar seems to be a more novel solution to the problem of protecting Bruce's neck while allowing him enough mobility to actually move like a superhero. That was infamously impossible back in the Michael Keaton days, and it took a movie-and-a-half for Christian Bale's Batman to gain that ability. ![]() The great challenge with designing live-action Batman costumes is finding a way to allow the actor to turn his head. If slightly unexpected, this design choice makes sense. We catch a whiff of Gotham by Gaslight to this suit, particularly in the neck area and the raised collar. Gotham by GaslightThis new Batsuit seems to draw inspiration from more unlikely corners of the Batman franchise as well. He even has R-shaped throwing daggers that might serve a similar purpose to this complex Bat emblem. Could it even be detachable, serving as a convenient storage container for Bruce's Batarangs? That brings to mind Robin's armored costume from the Titans. Could the new movie be paying tribute to that story? It also appears as though the Bat emblem serves some specific function. The idea being that Bruce is able to turn a symbol of despair into one of hope and protection. Interestingly, writer Kevin Smith and artist Jim Lee recently collaborated on a story where a young Batman purchases Joe Chill's gun and melts it down to forge part of his new armor. Some fans have even suggested it looks like it's constructed out of pieces of a gun. The Bat Emblem's Purpose The Bat emblem is easily one of the most unusual features of this new costume, what with its piecemeal quality and multiple components. The suit is divided into a series of armored plates and sharp, angled lines, a design sensibility this new movie suit seems to share. Bermejo's Batman is a heavily armored force of nature. The artist behind dark, gritty graphic novels like Joker and Batman: Damned, Bermejo has a very detailed take on the Batsuit that seems to have directly inspired the Pattinsuit. Lee Bermejo's Batman Few artists have a more striking and unique rendition of Batman than Lee Bermejo. We may well see the look of this costume evolve over time, assuming the planned trilogy of movies pans out. The Origins suit is specifically intended to be less sleek and polished than some of Batman's later, more advanced costumes. All signs point to The Batman taking place relatively early in Bruce's costumed career, and Origins is also set early on. It makes sense that Origins in particular would influence the new movie. The way the shoulder pads seem to be separate pieces attached to the chest armor is very reminiscent of Arkham Origins. ![]() The chest area and the uneven textures of the armor definitely evoke the Arkham Knight suit. We can't help but think of the Arkham Asylum video game series, particularly the most recent two entries, 2013's Arkham Origins and 2015's Arkham Knight. If anything, this may be the most heavily armored Batsuit we've seen in the movies to date (not counting the more extreme costume changes Ben Affleck's Batman underwent in Batman v Superman and Justice League). 13 Images Arkham Origins & Arkham Knight Anyone hoping Pattinson's Bruce Wayne might opt for a more traditional, spandex-style costume will have to accept this isn't the direction director Matt Reeves is going.
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